Landing cushioning analysis of new generation heavy airborne armored vehicles

Purpose The purpose of this study is to ensure the successful implementation of a landing cushion for the new generation armored vehicles with significantly enhanced quality. Furthermore, to introduce a high-precision landing cushioning analysis model. Design/methodology/approach To accurately analyze the cushioning performance of the new generation armored vehicles, a nonlinear finite element dynamics model considering the complex travel system was established. The model considered the influence of various nonlinear factors to measure the dynamic response difference between the proposed and traditional models. The cushioning performance of airbags under different landing conditions and their various influence factors were analyzed. Findings The travel system has a large influence on the key points of the vehicle, whose rear end of the upper deck has a larger acceleration fluctuation compared with the traditional model. The increase in the body material stiffness is helpful to reduce this fluctuation. The established nonlinear finite element model can effectively analyze the landing cushioning performance of airborne armored vehicles. The area of the external airbag vent has a large influence on the cushioning performance, and the cushioning system has excellent cushioning performance under various operating conditions. Practical implications This study introduces the travel system, which is ignored by traditional analytical models. The interactions between various types of complex structures are included in the analysis process in its entirety, leading to valuable new conclusions. Quantitatively reveals the analytical errors of traditional simulation models in multiple dimensions and the reasons for their formation. Based on a high-precision simulation model, it is verified that the designed airbag cushioning system has an excellent cushioning effect for the new generation of heavy airborne armored vehicles. Originality/value The novelty of this work comes from the need for smooth landing with low overload for a new type of large-load airborne armored vehicle and provides a high-precision model that quantifies the traditional analytical modeling errors and error principle.